Minecraft is finally introducing custom models and textures for baby mobs in the newest snapshot and beta versions. Read on to learn more about the visual changes and additional features.
Minecraft to Replace “Scaled Down” Baby Animal Models
Game Drop Changes How Baby Mobs Fundamentally Work
Minecraft has unveiled brand-new models and textures for baby animals, which are now live in development builds of the game. Specifically, the update has been applied to Beta & Preview 26.0.27 for Bedrock Edition, and the 26.1 Snapshot for Java Edition.
This "game drop," Minecraft's term for an update, overhauls textures and models for the infant version of many of the game’s iconic animals, most of which haven’t seen a major change since Java Edition 1.0.0 in 2011. While the visual swap doesn’t affect gameplay, it changes how the game itself generates the miniature creatures.
"Most of the baby mobs are scaled-down grown-ups," explained Game Director Agnes Larsson in the update’s reveal video. Simplifying how the game logic previously created baby mobs, Larsson said, "‘If [it’s a] baby, make the body smaller and keep the head.’ So, they have tiny bodies and big heads."
Baby animals will now have their own unique textures and models, rather than shrunken-down versions of their adult counterparts. New sound effects are also being added, replacing the previously pitched-up versions of adult animal audio.
The animals receiving a facelift are the Wolf Pup, Kitten, Calf, Mooshroom Calf, Piglet, Lamb, Baby Ocelot, Baby Rabbit, and Baby Chicken. Not only the babies, but full-grown Rabbits are also getting a minor update, featuring fluffier bodies and a new animation where they stand upright, tilt their heads, and fold their ears back.
Gameplay Features Also Being Added
In addition to the cosmetic modifications, Minecraft is also introducing a couple of new features in the upcoming update. First, Name Tags will now be craftable with Paper and any Nugget. Previously, Name Tags could only be obtained by looting chests in generated structures, Villager trading, or fishing.
Lastly, Spawn Eggs are getting added functionality in Bedrock Edition. Players can now use a Spawn Egg on an adult mob to spawn a baby version. This feature was previously only available on Java.
Minecraft Java Edition is available on PC, while Bedrock Edition is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, PC, and Mobile devices. For all the latest news on Minecraft, check out our article below!
Sources:
Minecraft on YouTube | THE CUTEST DROP YET!
